North/South divide, the

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishNorth/South divide, thethe North/South divideˌNorth/South diˈvide, the1the difference between the rich and poor countries of the world, which is shown by people's standard of living and by the level of industrial and economicdevelopment. The expression the North is used to mean the richer countries which are mainly in Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia, and the South is used to mean the poorer countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South AmericaLatest statistics suggest the North/South divide is becoming even more pronounced.2the difference between the northern and southern parts of a country, shown for example in the amount of money people have, the quality of their health, or their generalattitudes and way of lifeThe 1980s property boom in and around London helped to create a North/South divide in the cost of housing. → see alsoNorth, the, South